Residents in landslide and flood prone areas should be on alert and follow evacuation instructions to avoid a repeat of the disaster brought about by tropical storm Sendong in Cagayan de Oro City last year, Edgardo Ollet, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) operation center chief, said in a noon briefing today.

The weather bureau Pagasa said that as of 4 pm today, the eye of typhoon Pablo was located, based on satellite and surface data, at 390 km Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It has a maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph. It is forecast to move West at 26 kph.

Reacting to reports that some residents refused to evacuate citing sunny weather, Ollet said people should take advantage of the lead time available to them. He said Pablo is expected to bring an estimated rainfall amount from 15 mm to 30 mm per hour (heavy-intense) within the 600 km diameter of the typhoon. This rainfall volume is much heavier than that of Sendong's which was only 25 mm per hour at the maximum, he said.

Typhoon Pablo is forecasted to be 30 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur tomorrow morning, 150 km West of Iloilo City on Wednesday morning, and 400 km West of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on Thursday morning. (PIA)